Vancomycin-resistant enterococci: Clinical, microbiologic, and epidemiologic features

doi:10.1016/S0022-2143(97)90054-8

Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine

Volume 130, Issue 1, July 1997, Pages 14-20

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-2143(97)90054-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

Enterococci have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens with increasing antimicrobial resistance. Within the past 5 years, vancomycin-resistant strains have disseminated throughout the United States and Europe. Many of these organisms are also highly resistant to β-lactams and aminoglycosides, making them virtually untreatable. Because optimal therapy for these infections is unknown, attributable mortality rates for patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia are extremely high. Recently identified risk factors for acquisition include prolonged hospitalization, prior antibiotic use, and serious underlying illness. Until effective therapy is available, prevention of infection by proper infection control procedures and judicious antibiotic use is critical.

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Review articleVancomycin-resistant enterococci: Clinical, microbiologic, and epidemiologic features

Abstract

Lancet

Lancet

Lancet

Major trends in the microbial etiology of nosocomial infections

Am J Med

Emergence of enterococcus as a significant pathogen

Clin Infect Dis

The life and the times of the enterococcus

Clin Microbiol Rev

Plasmid-mediated resistance to vancomycin and teicoplanin in Enterococcus faecium

N Eng J Med

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in hospitalized children

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol

A cluster of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in an intensive care unit

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol

Epidemiologic analysis and genotypic characterization of a nosocomial outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci

J Clin Microbiol

Outbreak of vancomycin-, ampicillin-, and aminoglycoside-resistant Enterococcus faecium bacteremia in an adult oncology unit

Antimicrob Agents Chemother

Nosocomial outbreak due to Enterococcus faecium highly resistant to vancomycin, penicillin, and gentamicin

Clin Infect Dis

Concomitant high-level vancomycin and penicillin resistance in clinical isolates of enterococci

Clin Infect Dis

Vancomycinresistant Enterococcus faecium bacteremia: risk factors for infection

Clin Infect Dis

Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia: acquisition and outcome

Clin Infect Dis

Hospital-acquired infection with vancomycinresistant Enterococcus faecium transmitted by electronic thermometers

Ann Intern Med

Bacteremia due to vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium of Van B phenotype during prophylaxis with vancomycin

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J Clin Microbiol

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J Antimicrob Chemother

Review article
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci: Clinical, microbiologic, and epidemiologic features